Heaven and Hell - Swedenborg Foundation

HEAVEN AND HELL 144
movements of the angels; and in consequence they have no
distances, and having no distances they have no spaces, but in
place of spaces they have states and their changes.
193. As changes of place are thus effected it is evident that
approaches are likenesses of state of the interiors, and
separations are unlikenesses; and for this reason those are near
each other who are in like states, and those are at a distance
who are in unlike states; and spaces in heaven are simply the
external conditions corresponding to the internal states. For
the same reason the heavens are distinct from each other, also
the societies of each heaven and the individuals in each society;
and this is also why the hells are entirely separated from the
heavens, because they are in a contrary state.
194. For the same reason, again, anyone in the spiritual
world who intensely desires the presence of another comes into
his presence, for he thereby sees him in thought, and puts
himself in his state; and conversely, one is separated from
another so far as he is averse to him. And since all aversion
comes from contrariety of affection and from disagreement of
thought, whenever in that world several are together in one
place they are visible [to one another] so long as they agree, but
vanish as soon as they disagree.
195. Again, when anyone goes from one place to another,
whether it be in his own city, or in courts or in gardens, or to
others out of his own society, he arrives more quickly when he
eagerly desires it, and less quickly when he does not, the way
itself being lengthened and shortened in accordance with the
desire, although it remains the same. This I have often seen to
my surprise. All this again makes clear how distances, and
consequently spaces, are wholly in accord with states of the
What it is to be “led by the spirit to another place” (n. 1884).